Espargos | |
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Settlement | |
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| Coordinates:16°45′22″N22°56′46″W / 16.756°N 22.946°W /16.756; -22.946 | |
| Country | Cape Verde |
| Island | Sal |
| Municipality | Sal |
| Civil parish | Nossa Senhora das Dores |
| Population (2010)[1] | |
• Total | 17,081 |
| ID | 41106 |
Espargos (Portuguese for "asparagus") is the capital and main commercial centre of the island and municipality ofSal,Cape Verde. The city[2] is situated in the heart of the island.
The highest point of Espargos isMonte Curral, elevation 109 meters,[3] where the radar station and the control tower for the airport are located. TheAmílcar Cabral International Airport is situated directly southwest of the city centre. The head offices ofCabo Verde Express are located at the airport.[4] The national roadEN1-SL01, a dual carriageway, connects Espargos withSanta Maria in the south of the island. Other national roads connect it withPedra de Lume andPalmeira.[5]
For statistical purposes, the city of Espargos is divided into 24 localities (lugares). The most populous of these are: África 70, Bairro Novo I, Bairro Novo II (Ribeira d'Hoz), Chã de Matias, Chã de Fraqueza, Hortelã de Baixo, Hortelã de Cima, Preguiça and Ribeira Funda.[6]
The development of Espargos started with the construction of the airport in 1939.[7] The Italian Government ofBenito Mussolini was granted authorization by the Portuguese colonial government to begin construction of a transit airport to service its flights betweenEurope andSouth America. As a consequence ofWorld War II, the Italian involvement in the airport project ceased. In 1945 the Portuguese purchased the airport installation from the Italians and by 1949 the airport was a fully operational facility. Small houses were erected in several areas immediately adjacent to the airport. Workers from the islandSao Nicolau named the civilian area "Preguiça" after theport village on their home island.[8] In 2010, Espargos was elevated from a town to a city.[2]
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1990 (Census) | 5,778 |
| 2000 (Census) | 5,456 |
| 2010 (Census) | 17,081 |
Media related toEspargos at Wikimedia CommonsThe island ofSal, Cape Verde | ||
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